This is a well-played but still nice example of an early Gibson ES-175, from the second year of issue for this enduringly popular arch-top electric. This guitar has a dark brown sunburst top, single P-90 pickup and the bridge is a full-footed design used up through around 1954.

When this example was shipped in early March 1951, the ES-175 was still a relatively new design. The combination of the 16" wide laminated maple body with a sharp Florentine cutaway, 24 3/4" scale, and P-90 pickup resulted in a fortuitous and instantly popular design that remains one of Gibson's most well-regarded classics. This guitar has some hardware changes but remains an excellent-playing example, with the expected wonderful classic jazz sound.

Overall a nice example with some typical wear but no major damage or repair. The finish on the back of the neck is mostly worn away down to about the fifth fret area, with some further worn spots down to around the ninth fret. The rest of the finish on the sides and back has scuffs and dings, but the top is still quite clean.

The hardware is a mixed bag of old and newer, but all in the correct style. The P-90 pickup, rosewood bridge, and pickguard are original, the tailpiece a later version of the correct piece, and the knobs and Kluson Deluxe tuners are re-issues. The guitar appears to have been re-fretted some time ago with the original style small fretwire, and there is some noticeable fingerboard divoting in the first position. A nice-playing and great-sounding guitar; a nice example of the "classic" early style ES-175, complete in its original brown HSC. Excellent - Condition.